Improvements in and relating to security covers for door or window openings

Abstract: A security cover for an opening in a building, such as a door or window, comprises a frame (10) defining an opening and a panel (12) for closing the opening, the panel (12) being connected to the frame (10) by a hinge arrangement (18) whereby the panel (12) is pivotable relative to the frame (10) and separable therefrom.

Description: This invention concerns security covers for doors or window openings, especially of void premises. Security covers for building openings are known, for example, from EP-A-0422934 which describes a security cover comprising a frame defining an opening and a panel for closing the opening, the panel being pivotally connected to and separate from the frame. An object of this invention is to provide improved security covers for use on door or window openings. According to this invention, there is provided a security cover for an opening in a building, such as a door or window, the cover comprising a frame defining an opening and a panel lockable in the frame for closing said opening, the panel being pivotally connected to and separable from the frame, characterized in that the panel is connected to the frame by a double-link pivoting arrangement and the frame comprises first and second opposed U-section channels open towards each other, opposed panel edges locating in respective channels for locking, the first channel being sufficiently deep and wide to allow lateral movement of the panel when unlocked as well as pivoting movement of the panel out of the plane of the frame to release the panel from the second channel and then from the first channel. The lateral movement of the panel may be limited by the channels themselves or by stops on the panel which can abut against the frame. The pivotal connection of the panel to the frame permits the panel to be pulled clear of the frame sufficiently to allow access therethrough. The frame of the security cover may be secured to a building opening in any suitable way. A preferred way is to clamp the frame to the opening by means of one or more cross bars secured to the frame so that the door frame or surrounding walling is clamped between the frame of the security cover and the cross bar or bars. Threaded studs or bolts or flexible means such as wires of chains may be used to fasten the cross bar or bars to the frame. The cross bars used may be telescopic in construction so that they are suitable for a variety of opening sizes. The frame for the security door preferably comprises channel section members with longitudinal openings of lesser width than the channel itself and means for attachment of a cross bar are locatable in said channel section member, so that a door frame or surrounding walling may be clamped between the security door frame and ends of the cross bar. The attachment means preferably comprise a carrier plate that is insertable into a channel section member in one orientation and is located therein when turned to another orientation, preferably through 90°. The preferred attachment means comprises an L-section plate and a screw threaded rod extending from one web thereof. The pivotal connection between the frame and the panel preferably comprises a first link pivotally connected to the frame at one end and to a second link at its other end, the second link being pivotally connected to the panel also. Preferably the links are braced such as by being formed as a framework with upper and lower spaced pivot points in order to prevent tilting of the door under its own weight. Door openings are of non-uniform size. Therefore, it is preferred that a frame for use in the invention be provided with means for extending its width. Preferably extension pieces may be attached to a side frame member and to other extension pieces in order to increase the overall width of the frame to suit the opening into which it is to be fitted. Ideally side frame members and extension pieces are formed as extrusions, typically of aluminium, and are provided with mutually engaging formations on edges thereof, preferably so that extension pieces may be slid onto a formation of a side frame member or of another extension piece. Dovetail joint formations are considered to be preferable for that purpose. The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figures 1A to E show in section a security cover for a door opening in its open, closed and intermediate positions; Figure 2 shows additional security means for the cover of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partial rear view of the security cover of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows an alternative hinge arrangement for a security door of the invention; Figure 5 is a section through an alternative security door and frame arrangement; Figure 6 is a section through a security door frame and an extension therefor; Figure 7 shows a system for fixing a security door frame to a door opening; Figure 8 is a section through another security cover for a door opening in accordance with the invention; Figure 9 shows a door of the security cover of Figure 8; and Figure 10 shows a hinge arrangement for the door of Figure 9. Referring to Figures 1A to E of the accompanying drawing, a security cover for a door opening comprises a rectangular frame 10 usually of metal and a removable security panel 12 also usually of metal connected to the frame 10. The frame 10 is intended in use to be secured against a door frame by any suitable means. The frame 10 has on its intended outer face on its vertical sides a pair of channels 14, 16 open towards each other. The panel 12 is connected to the frame 10 by a pivotal linkage 18 comprises a first member 20 pivotally connected to the rear of the frame and to a second member 22 which is itself pivotally connected to the rear of the panel 12. The rear of the panel 12 has near opposite edges thereof stops 24A and 24B for abutting against the frame in either direction. The channel 14 on the frame side to which the linkage 18 is attached is of lesser depth than the opposite channel 16 and the width of channel 16 is sufficient to allow the edge of the panel 12 to be inclined slightly in a vertical plane relative to the plane of the frame. The panel 12 itself is of a such a width that when one edge is inserted fully in the channel 14 its opposite edge is retained in channel 16 but when that opposite edge is inserted fully into channel 16, the one edge is free of the channel 14. In the former position, the panel 12 can be locked in place by any suitable means, such as a mortice lock. The security cover operates in the following manner. In Figure 1A the cover panel is shown in its locked position, ie. with the one panel edge fully inserted into the channel 14 and the stop 24A abutting the frame. In this position the linkage member 22 is generally perpendicular to the panel. To release the panel 12, the first stage after unlocking the panel is to slide the panel into the channel 16 until the stop 24B abuts the frame (Figure 1B). Then the panel is angled slightly in order to pull the one edge of the panel away from the frame (Figure 1C). The panel can then be slid in the opposite direction in order to release the opposite edge of the panel from the channel 16 (Figure 1D). Finally, the panel 12 can be pulled clear off the frame to permit access through the frame (Figure 1E). As shown in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings the pivotal front member 20 connected to the rear of the frame 10 comprises upper and lower members 40 and 42 respectively connected by diagonal cross-braces 44 and 46. The members 40 and 42 are mounted at opposite ends of a pivot rod 48 which is retained in upper and lower pivot brackets 50 and 52 respectively. The second pivotal member 22 likewise comprises upper and lower members 54 and 56 respectively which are connected by diagonal cross braces 58 and 60. The members 54 and 56 are mounted at opposite ends of a second pivot rod 62 which is retained by upper and lower pivot brackets 64 and 66 respectively. The pivotal connection between the first and second linkages 20 and 22 respectively is via a third pivot rod 68 fixed by and connected between the ends of the members 40 and 42 but about which the upper and lower members 54 and 56 of the second linkage 22 are pivotable. The bracing of the linkages 20 and 22 is to prevent the door tilting under its own weight as it is opened. It will, of course, be appreciated that any other suitable linkage formation may be used to achieve that end. There are various ways of securing the frame into a door opening. One suitable way as shown in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings is to provide on the rear of the frame 10 preferably at or near each corner but sufficiently spaced from outer edges thereof to be clear of the door frame threaded members 30 onto which security bars 32 or the like can be secured by nuts 34, the bars 32 extending on each side beyond the door frame in order to clamp the security frame in position. Referring to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings an alternative hinge arrangement for a security door comprises a first pair of hinge pins 100 which will be mounted spaced apart on a door frame (not shown). Each pin 100 comprises a plate 102 for attachment to the frame by means of screws or the like through holes (not shown) in the plates and a vertical pin 104 at one end of the plate 102. A second pair of hinge pins 106 are mounted on a security door 108 again spaced apart. The hinge arrangement further comprises two hinge members 110 and 112 which are coupled together and respectively to the frame and the door. The first hinge member 110 comprises upper and lower arms 114 connected by a diagonal brace 116. Each arm has at one end a socket 118 for receiving a hinge pin 104 and at its other end a vertical pin 120 on to which pins the second hinge member 112 will be mounted. The second hinge member 112 comprises a vertical flat bar 122 having at each end and on opposite edges thereof a pair of sockets 124. The upper and lower sockets on one edge of the bar locate on the pins 120 of the first hinge member and the upper and lower sockets on the opposite edge of the bar receive the pins 106 on the door 108. This hinging arrangement permits the door 108 not only to be opened and closed but also to be moved laterally for inserting into or releasing the door from a frame of the type shown in Figure 1 or as shown in Figure 5 to be described below. Turning to Figures 5 and 6 an alternative frame for a security door of the invention includes a pair of side frame members 130 and 132 formed preferably as extrusions in aluminium. The first frame member 130 has two channel section parts 138, 140. The first 138 opens towards the opposite side frame member 132 and the second 140 opens rearwardly. The first channel section has parallel walls 142, 144 of different lengths, the shorter 142 being to the fore. The second channel section 140 has a narrower opening 146 than its width at its base and has one side wall formed by end wall 150 of the frame member 130 and its other formed by base wall 152 of the other channel. The other side frame member 132 has more or less the same section as the frame member 130 and like parts have been given the same reference numerals for ease of reference. The only difference is that the front wall 142 of the frame member 132 is shorter than the equivalent part of frame member 130. That is to enable a door 156 to be fitted into the frame by first sliding one edge 158 of the door into the channel section 138 of the frame member 130 so that the door can be pivoted into line with the channel 138 of the other frame member 132 and then slid laterally to locate the other edge 159 of the door in the channel 138 whilst still being retained at its opposite edge in the first frame member 130, basically in the same manner illustrated with reference to Figure 1 of the drawings. The rearwardly opening channels 140 provide convenient locations for attachment of means for securing the frame in a door opening, such as illustrated in Figure 2 above of Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings as described below. Because not all door openings are of the same size, the frame members 130, 132 are provided with means for extending the width of either or both (see Figure 6). The end walls 150 have on their outer surface a male dovetail formation 160 onto which can be located an extension piece 162 having at one end a female dovetail formation 164 and at its other end a male dovetail formation 166, whereby further extension pieces 162 may be added as necessary by sliding them together. Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings shows how a security door frame may be fixed to a door opening. The frame comprises channel section members of the type 130 shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings or plain channel members 170 have returned edges 172 providing a narrower opening to the channel member than the width of the channel member. The channel member 170 receives a carrier plate 174 for a screw threaded rod 176 welded thereto. The carrier plate 174 is of L-section having two webs 178, 180, the rod 176 being welded to web 178 not necessarily centrally thereof. The carrier plate 174 is inserted into the channel member vertically and then twisted through 90° so that the web 178 lies against the banks of the returned edges 172 and the web 180 is in a horizontal plane. A pair of such carrier plates 174 will be provided one for each of a pair of spaced frame members 170 so that a clamp bar 182 having holes 184 near each end can be mounted on the threaded rods 176 and held in place with nuts (not shown) to clamp the door opening surround between the channel members 170 and the clamp bar 182 at each end thereof. If necessary a similar arrangement may be used for horizontal top and bottom security door frame members. Figures 8, 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings have been included to show variations of embodiments illustrated and described above. The security cover for a door opening shown in Figures 8 to 10 comprises briefly a frame 200, a door 202 pivotally attached to the framework by a hinge arrangement 204 and lockable thereto by lock means 206. The framework 200 has side channel frame members 208 that are similar to those of Figure 5 and 6 except that channels 210 to receive opposite door edges are formed on the closed faces of the channel members 208 rather than in line therewith. As with the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6, intended outer ends of the framework member 208 have dovetail formations 212 thereon so that extension pieces 214 can be slid onto them to extend the width of the frame 200. The hinge arrangement 204 is again similar to that shown in Figure 4 except for the provision of an additional diagonal brace 218. The door 202 has an outer frame 220 with three additional spaced apart cross pieces 222, 224, 226 between side frame members 228. The frame 200 is clad with metal sheet 227. To the cross pieces 222 and 226 are welded pivots 228 for the hinge arrangement 204. The security cover of Figures 8, 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings is securable to a door opening using the system illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawings or by any other suitable means. The security cover of Figures 8, 9 and 10 is operated in a similar manner to the other illustrated embodiments.

Claims: A security cover for an opening in a building, such as a door or window, the cover comprising a frame (10) defining an opening and a panel (12) lockable in the frame for closing said opening, the panel being pivotally connected to and separable from the frame, characterized in that the panel is connected to the frame by a double-link pivoting arrangement (18) and the frame comprises first and second opposed U-section channels (16,14) open towards each other, opposed panel edges locating in respective channels for locking, the first channel (16) being sufficiently deep and wide to allow lateral movement of the panel when unlocked as well as pivoting movement of the panel out of the plane of the frame to release the panel from the second channel (14) and then from the first channel (16). A security cover as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said lateral movement is limited by the channels (16,14) themselves or by stops (24A, 24B) on the panel (12) which can abut against the frame. A security cover as claimed in claims 1 or 2, characterized by means (30,32,34) for securing the frame of the security cover to a building opening. A security cover as claimed in claim 3, characterized by one or more cross bars (32) securable to the frame (10) to clamp the door frame or surrounding walling between the frame of the security cover and the cross bar or bars. A security cover as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the cross bars are telescopic. A security cover as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the frame comprises channel section members with longitudinal openings of lesser width than the channel itself and means (174, 176) for attachment of a cross bar (182) are locatable in said channel section member so that a door frame or surrounding walling may be clamped between the security door frame and ends of the cross bar. A security cover as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the attachment means comprise a carrier plate (174) that is insertable into a channel section member (130,170) in one orientation and is located therein when turned to another orientation, preferably through 90°. A security cover as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the attachment means comprises an L-section plate (174) and a screw threaded rod (176) extending from one web (178) thereof. A security cover as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the pivotal connection between the frame (10) and the panel (12) comprises a first link (20) pivotally connected to the frame at one end and to a second link (22) at its other end, the second link being pivotally connected to the panel also. A security cover as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the links are braced (44,46,53,60) A security cover as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the links are formed as a framework with upper and lower spaced pivot points (50,52,64,66). A security cover as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the frame is provided with means (162) for extending its width. A security cover as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that extension pieces (162) are attachable to a side frame member (130) and to other extension pieces in order to increase the overall width of the frame to suit the opening into which it is fitted. A security cover as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that side frame members (130,200) and extension pieces (162,214) are formed as extrusions and are provided with mutually engaging formations on edges thereof. A security cover as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that extension pieces are slidable onto a formation of a side frame member or of another extension piece.

Inventors: MUIRHEAD ROBERT, MUIRHEAD, ROBERT
Applicants: BAR IT LIMITED, BAR-IT LIMITED
Application year: 1994
Main classification: E06B9
IPC codes: E06B9